Allianz Insurance Claim Denied: Your Rights and How to Fight Back

Allianz is a global insurance giant with operations across more than 150 countries. But global size doesn't mean claims are processed perfectly. When Allianz denies your travel insurance, health insurance, or life insurance claim, you have legal rights to appeal and challenge the decision.

This guide covers the most common denial patterns and exactly how to fight back.

Why Allianz Denies Claims Most Often

Understanding the denial reason helps you build the right appeal strategy.

Travel Insurance Exclusions and Timing

Allianz travel insurance denials are often based on exclusions or timing issues. Common scenarios:

• You claimed after the 90-day window (Allianz requires claims within 90 days of returning or discovering the loss)
• You had a pre-existing medical condition and didn't declare it at purchase
• You were travelling against travel advice warnings (Allianz excludes these)
• The activity you were doing wasn't covered (some adventure activities are excluded)

Pre-Existing Condition Denials

Both Allianz travel and health policies often exclude pre-existing conditions. If you had a condition before the policy started, Allianz may deny claims related to it. But the timing question is often debatable—did the condition truly exist before the policy, or did it develop afterward?

Missing Pre-Authorization or Not Using Preferred Network

For health claims, Allianz may deny if you didn't seek pre-authorization or used an out-of-network provider without approval. However, in emergencies or when in-network options aren't available, you may have appeal grounds.

Medical Necessity Disputes

Allianz questions whether certain treatments are "medically necessary" according to their guidelines. Your doctor may have recommended something that Allianz says isn't necessary. This judgment is often reversible with strong physician support.

Non-Disclosure at Application

If Allianz claims you didn't disclose something when you purchased the policy, carefully examine what you actually told them. Did you honestly answer the questions they asked? Were their questions vague? Did they fail to ask something they should have?

Appealing Allianz: Global Framework

Allianz operates differently across regions, but the appeal framework is similar everywhere.

Step 1: Get Allianz's Complete Denial Letter

Contact Allianz immediately and request a formal, written explanation of the denial. This letter must:

• State the specific reason for denial
• Reference the policy terms or exclusions that apply
• Explain what information they reviewed
• Provide instructions for appealing

Don't proceed without this letter. It's your roadmap for the appeal.

Step 2: Carefully Review Your Policy

Read your actual Allianz policy document, not just the summary. Look for:

• Precise definitions of what's covered
• Exclusions that might apply to your claim
• Waiting periods and timelines
• Sub-limits and deductibles
• Any ambiguous language (usually interpreted in your favor)

Compare what the policy actually says to what Allianz claimed in their denial letter. Discrepancies strengthen your appeal.

Step 3: Gather Comprehensive Evidence

Collect everything that supports your claim:

• Medical records and test results
• Specialist reports or letters
• Hospital discharge summaries (for hospitalization claims)
• Receipts and invoices (for travel claims)
• Flight/hotel confirmations (for travel claims)
• Your original application and policy documents
• All correspondence with Allianz
• Proof of timeline (when you purchased the policy, when the event occurred, when you claimed)

For travel claims, gather documentation of the specific loss: medical reports if hospitalized, receipts for cancelled flights, proof of inability to travel, etc.

Step 4: Send Your Formal Internal Appeal

Write a clear, organized appeal letter to Allianz's Complaints Department (address is usually in your denial letter or on their website). Your letter should include:

• Your full policy number and claim reference
• Date of the original denial
• Detailed explanation of why Allianz's decision is wrong
• References to policy language that supports your position
• All attached evidence, numbered and clearly listed
• Specific request: "I request Allianz reverse this decision and approve my claim"
• Your contact information

Send via registered mail or email with read receipt. Keep copies of everything.

Most countries require Allianz to respond within 4-8 weeks. If they maintain the denial or don't respond adequately, proceed to external escalation.

Regional Escalation Processes

European Customers (UK, Germany, France, etc.)

If you're in the EU or UK:

• File your internal appeal with Allianz first
• If unhappy, escalate to your country's financial regulator
  • UK: Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS)
  • Germany: BaFin
  • France: ACPR and FBF Mediator
  • Others: Check your country's regulator

Asia-Pacific Customers

• Singapore: Escalate to MAS and FIDReC
• Hong Kong: Escalate to Insurance Authority and IARB
• Malaysia: Escalate to BNM/OFS
• Australia: Escalate to AFCA

USA Customers

• File internal appeal (within 180 days of denial)
• Request external review if denied
• File complaint with your state's insurance commissioner

Travel Insurance Appeals: Special Considerations

Allianz travel insurance denials are common and often reversible.

Challenge Timing Issues

If Allianz says you missed their 90-day claim deadline, check whether:

• You were hospitalized or incapacitated and couldn't claim earlier
• You were unaware of the loss until later (e.g., billing errors on credit card)
• Allianz was slow to respond, causing delays
• You have documented evidence of trying to claim earlier

If any of these apply, argue that the deadline should be extended or that you acted diligently.

Challenge Pre-Existing Condition Exclusions

If Allianz denies based on pre-existing conditions:

• Get your doctor to document when the condition actually started
• Show that symptoms developed or first diagnosed after policy purchase
• Provide medical evidence that contradicts Allianz's dating of the condition

Challenge Activity Exclusions

If Allianz excluded your activity as "adventure" or "risky":

• Provide evidence that the activity is routine and low-risk
• Get travel guides or tourist operator confirmation that it's standard
• Show that Allianz's exclusion language doesn't precisely match your activity

Health Insurance Appeals: Special Considerations

Get Your Doctor's Support in Writing

Your treating physician is your most powerful advocate. Ask them to write a letter specifically addressing Allianz's stated reason for denial. If Allianz said treatment isn't medically necessary, ask your doctor to explain why it is necessary for your specific condition.

Challenge Medical Necessity Denials

If Allianz denies based on guidelines, research those guidelines. Get your doctor to explain why:

• The guideline doesn't apply to your situation
• An exception is warranted
• Alternative treatments weren't appropriate

Document Pre-Authorization Failures

If Allianz denies because pre-auth wasn't obtained, document:

• Your good-faith efforts to seek pre-auth
• Allianz's failures to respond or make the process clear
• Any emergency circumstances that prevented pre-auth

Building Your Most Persuasive Appeal

The strongest Allianz appeals follow specific principles.

Target Allianz's Specific Stated Reason

Don't argue generally about your situation. Address directly what Allianz said was wrong. This focused approach is far more persuasive than a general discussion of your circumstances.

Use Policy Language

Quote your actual policy in your appeal. If Allianz's reason for denial doesn't match the policy language, highlight this discrepancy. If the exclusion language is ambiguous, explain how it could be interpreted to support your claim.

Create a Timeline

Show exactly when you purchased the policy, when the event occurred, when you claimed, and when Allianz denied it. For travel claims, include your travel dates. For health claims, include condition onset, diagnosis, and treatment dates.

Provide Multiple Forms of Evidence

Don't just attach documents—organize them clearly. Create a numbered list of attached documents and reference them in your appeal letter by number. Make it easy for the reviewer to follow your argument.

Critical Timelines: Don't Miss These Deadlines

Appeal deadlines vary by region and claim type:

• Travel claims: Usually 90 days from returning or discovering the loss
• Internal appeal to Allianz: File immediately; most countries require response within 4-8 weeks
• Regulator complaints: Typically 1-3 years from the event or decision, depending on region

File your internal appeal immediately. If Allianz denies it, escalate to your regulator within weeks, not months.

Getting Help With Your Allianz Appeal

Appealing an Allianz denial requires strategy. You need to know which arguments Allianz will find persuasive, how to organize evidence for maximum impact, and what language to use. Different claim types and regions have different approaches.

ClaimBack's AI analyzes your Allianz denial letter, identifies your strongest arguments, understands your region-specific process, and drafts a compelling appeal letter tailored to your situation. You review, edit, and submit it yourself—maintaining full control.

Get your free Allianz appeal analysis →

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Disclaimer: ClaimBack provides AI-generated appeal assistance for informational purposes only. ClaimBack is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Always review your appeal letter before sending and consider professional advice for complex or high-value claims.

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